swears; swore /ˈswoɚ/ ; sworn /ˈswoɚn/ ; swearing swears; swore /ˈswoɚ/ ; sworn /ˈswoɚn/ ; swearing Learner's definition of SWEAR
1
a : to state (something) very strongly and sincerely发誓；起誓 [+ object]
-
I swear (that) I was there. [=I was definitely there; I am telling you the truth when I say that I was there]我发誓我当时在那儿。
-
Her English is so good that you would swear she has been studying it for years. [=you would really think that she has been studying it for years, even though she has not]她的英语太好了，你一定以为她已经学了好多年了。
-
You'd swear (that) the jewels are real. [=the jewels look very real even though they are not]你一定会说这些珠宝是真的。
-
I could have sworn that I left my keys on the counter. [=I'm very surprised that my keys are not on the counter because I definitely remember putting them there]我敢发誓我把钥匙落在柜台上了。
-
(US) She swore up and down [=insisted] (that) she didn't do it.她郑重其事地强调说不是她干的。
-
(Brit) He swore blind [=insisted] (that) he was innocent.他发誓说自己是无辜的。
[no object]
-
I didn't do anything wrong. I swear (on my mother's grave). [=I am being absolutely honest when I say that I didn't do anything wrong]我没做错任何事。我（对九泉之下的母亲）发誓。
-
I wouldn't swear to it [=I'm not absolutely sure about it], but I think he's written three books so far.尽管不敢绝对肯定，但我认为到现在为止他已写了三本书。
b : to promise very strongly and sincerely to do or not do something郑重承诺（做或不做） [+ object]
-
He swore [=vowed] to seek revenge.他发誓要报仇。
-
He swore revenge on the killers.他发誓要向那些杀人者复仇。
-
I swear (that) I'll never do that again.我发誓再也不干那种事了。
[no object]
-
I swear to God, I'll kill him if he comes back.我对天起誓：他要回来我就杀了他。
-
I'll never do that again. Swear to God. [=I promise you that I'll never do that again]我对天起誓再也不干那种事了。
2
[no object] : to use offensive words when you speak咒骂；说脏话 —
often + at 3
: to make a formal or official promise especially in a court of law（尤指在法庭）宣誓，起誓 [+ object]
-
I do solemnly swear to tell the whole truth.我郑重宣誓我讲的都是实情。
-
They swore (an oath of) allegiance to the United States of America. [=they formally promised that they would be loyal to the United States of America]他们宣誓效忠于美利坚合众国。
[no object]
4
[+ object] : to cause (someone) to make a promise使承诺；使起誓 —
often used as (be) sworn常用作(be) sworm
I swear
informal
—
used for emphasis用于强调 -
I swear, every time I see her she's got a new boyfriend.我每次见到她，她保准有一个新男友。
-
I swear, if I had a nickel for every time you did that, I'd be rich.我敢说，要是每次你那么做我都得到一枚五分硬币的话，我会发财的。
swear by
[phrasal verb] swear by (something)
: to have or express a lot of confidence in (something) : to say that (something) is very good or useful对于…十分认可；宣称…很好（或有用） -
She swears by this diet.她对这种饮食十分认可。
-
His method sounds pretty strange, but he swears by it.他的方法听起来很奇怪，但他却说这很管用。
swear in
[phrasal verb] swear (someone) in or swear in (someone)
: to place (someone) in a new office or position by having an official ceremony in which that person makes a formal promise to do the work properly, to be honest and loyal, etc.使宣誓就职 —
often used as (be) sworn in常用作(be) sworn in — see also swearing-in
swear off
[phrasal verb] swear off (something) chiefly US
: to stop doing, having, or being involved in (something)停止（做某事、拥有某物或参与某事） -
He was so disgusted by the election results that he swore off politics for good.他对选举结果十分不满，发誓从此不问政治。
-
She tried to swear off chocolate, but she couldn't do it.她想再也不吃巧克力了，却做不到。
2 swear /ˈsweɚ/ noun
plural swears
plural swears
Learner's definition of SWEAR
[count] US, informal